Air Boat/Swamp Tours
 

I'm very interested in doing a swamp tour when visiting NOLA in early April, and would like suggestions on tour operators. I've heard it mentioned that you see more wildlife on a swamp boat vs. an air boat. I am interested in information I have about Airboat Adventures, which operates air boats limited to six passengers and claims to get you into more remote places with frequent stops. The price is $60 per person for a 2.5 hour tour ($50 if paying by cash); It's a bit more expensive than others but may be worth it if we're able to get up close to things and stop to see something on request. I know there are less expensive options, does anyone have comments about other tours?

I don't know about them. The most popular around here is Honey Island swamp tour by boat. Here is a link to their site- http://honeyislandswamp.com/histour.html
Their price including transportation from your hotel is about $45. My niece & her husband went on it & had a great time. The airboats might be more noisy. Try to get Dr Paul if he is doing it.

I think Airboat Adventures was the one we used in 2000. I would definitely recommend the airboat for the speed. They had a baby alligator they would let you hold at the launch site, and we got to handle some other little swamp creature that the guide scooped up out of the swamp. We didn't see a whole lot of wildlife (only one big alligator), but the trip was a blast.

The noise from airboats is deafening. It scares away all the wildlife. Why don't you drive somewhere remote and go out in a flatboat. You will see much more. That's the way locals do it.

We went on Cajun Pride Swamp Tours. I highly recommend it. DO NOT go on an airboat, they are too noisy. We saw at least 50 alligators plus other wildlife as this tour operates on the Manchac Swamp which is a nature preserve.

I agree--air boats are terrible for viewing wildlife, even with frequent stops. They disturb the air and water and are so noisy, you won't see much. I always recommend Honey Island Swamp Tours, b/c I've taken their tour twice and loved it both times. Their guides are really knowledgeable.

Does one see anything but Alligators on the swamp tour? Are there any Plantation homes or cemetaries visible from these boats? Do any daily trips go North of NO past these places and maybe stop to tour?

On the Honey Island Tour we took, we saw lots of critters besides alligators--birds, frogs, a wild pig (or a peccary?)--but not much else; of course, being in the swamp itself is beautiful. Perhaps there are other tours run by Honey Island, or by other operators--hope someone else can answer you.

Margo -- the swamp tour we went on (Cajun Pride.com) is on the Manchac swamp which is only about 10-15 minutes away from the Great River Road Plantations. Cajun Pride will do a swamp tour & then take you to the plantations. If you have a car you can do this on your own after the swamp tour. We went to Laura & Oak Alley. We did a cemetery tour with saveourcemeteries.org.